Three O-D reporters train for their first Boilermaker 15K, to be run Sunday, July 14

15K: My app gives me pats on the back

About this blog

By Road Boilermaker

MEET THE RUNNERS / BLOGGERS:
Steve Hughes
Utica City Hall reporter Steve Hughes is an experienced runner who recently completed a half-marathon. He claims to be running the Boilermaker \x34for the beer,\x34 but we know it's really for the bragging
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MEET THE RUNNERS / BLOGGERS:
Steve Hughes
Utica City Hall reporter Steve Hughes is an experienced runner who recently completed a half-marathon. He claims to be running the Boilermaker \x34for the beer,\x34 but we know it's really for the bragging rights.
Keshia Clukey
Education reporter Keshia Clukey ran cross-country in high school, but has never competed in a 15K. Her reason for running? \x34Because I live in Utica, and I have to.\x34
Amanda Fries
Herkimer County reporter Amanda Fries is essentially a running novice. Running the Boilermaker is on her \x34bucket list\x34 and one of her New Year's resolutions.

This means I’ve been spending some time finding the best app for tracking my running.

I initially wanted to use Running Map because I’ve used the website before. You can conveniently map out your run before hitting the pavement. I’ve always found this beneficial so I didn’t have to take something with me to track my distance.

Unfortunately, I was met with an obstacle with this particular service not being able to locate my address.

Then I attempted to download and use mapmyrun. However, the app wouldn’t allow me to map before I tracked. It was only after the fact.

I was further deterred from using the app again when I began my first run on the road — since I’d been training on a treadmill prior — and discovered the path I’d chosen was a steady uphill climb.

One I wasn’t prepared for.

One that made me feel like I was running backward.

So I went back to the drawing board.

I had initially downloaded RunKeeper, but had wanted something that I could carve a route with prior to running it.

My search had led me right back to RunKeeper, and it was last week that I became smitten.

While my lack of updates might make you think I’ve also lacked in training, it’s been quite the opposite.

I’m up to four miles running straight through and pretty darn proud.

Using RunKeeper, it recently tracked me at:

*Distance: 4.12 miles

*Total time: 39.48 minutes

*Average minute per mile: 9:39

I earned bragging rights — for someone who’s never run more than two miles — when I received a "moving violation" for "running excessively fast." I couldn’t make this up if I tried.

Compared to other users, I’m in the 60th percentile — about 36 seconds faster than the median.

This particular recognition is what has stolen my heart with this app, and while there may be many others out there, you can't deny it that pats on the back are always welcome!